CR: Toyota RAV4 is most fuel efficient SUV ever tested
 

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1461950167

CR says that at 31 MPG US overall, the RAV4 hybrid is the most fuel efficient SUV they've tested.

They saw "26 mpg city and 36 mpg highway—better than most midsized sedans".

The EPA ratings are: 34 city / 31 highway / 33 combined.

Source article: Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Most Fuel-Efficient SUV Ever Tested

To me, it just begs the question: if you want a fuel efficient Toyota "utility vehicle"...

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1461950210

Toyota Prius V EPA: 44 city / 42 hwy / 40 combined

Seriously, how many people really need the ground clearance or electric-AWD of the RAV?

Roof racks. One needs roof racks that are out of reach.

Not to mention that the Rav costs another $2k.

42.8 MPG at the GGP. A 2016 Prius doubled that.
http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1461957755

Out-of-reach roof racks, but remember to attach the cross-members!

"Oh right..."

The ones on my Forester were shaped like a teardrop, so I always wondered about the penalty. I saw a video for a 2015 (I think!) where they had a notch on the back of the rails that was supposed to make them more aerodynamic.

Not a taper, almost like a cube!

I recall the Toyota guys saying the Rav4 costs the exact same as the Rav4 Hybrid? So there is no reason not to get the hybrid version. I could be wrong.

It's something like $600 difference at the same "trim" level. So if you want that exact package, and you must have a CUV, then the hybrid version definitely makes sense.

I understand they're selling really well.

But still.

I think he said the hybrid was only a few hundred dollars more.

Still more than the far more efficient Prius.

I saw a 2016 and thought it looked atrocious.

According to Fueleconomy.gov, the Subaru Crosstrek only delivers 31mpg combined (30c/34h) but my daily drive would actually spend more time in a thriftier regime than the RAV4 (34c/31h). So it's the most economical by their yardstick, but there are many different sticks to use.

And if you need the space but not the offroad capability - which the vast majority of owners never ever use - you could get by with a 25-year-old Wagovan and beat the snot out of all of them, including the Prius V.